Finger protectors



y 13, .1953 A. E. FARMES 2,834,018

FINGER PROTECTORS Filed May 25, 1955 INVENTOR ALLEN E. FARMES ATTORNEYS Unite States Patent FINGER PROTECTORS Allen E. Farmes, Minneapolis, Minn. Application May 23, 1955, Serial No. 510,479

6 Claims. (Cl. 221) The herein disclosed invention relates to finger protectors for archers and particularly to a protector for protecting the fingers used in drawing the bow string.

In the shooting of an arrow the arrow is placed between the forefinger and middle finger with the bow string received in the neck of the arrow shaft and the string is run across the forefinger, middle finger and third finger and drawn outwardly from the how. This causes the forefinger and middle finger to be pressed against the arrow causing discomfort and frequently soreness to the archer in the shooting of the arrows.

An object of the invention resides in providing a protector which overcomes the discomfort and soreness arising in the shooting of an arrow in the customary manner.

A still further object of the invention resides in provid ing a spacer insertable between the fingers between which the arrow is held while drawing the bow string and holding the fingers apart while shooting.

Another object of the invention resides in providing a covering for the fingers overlying the surfaces thereof across which the bow string is placed and in attaching the spacer to the covering.

An object of the invention resides in the specific arrangement of the spacer with reference to the parts of the covering.

A feature of the invention resides in providing a construction adaptable to use with any type of covering such as an archers pad or glove.

An object of the invention resides in the specific construction of the spacer.

Other objects of the invention reside in the novel combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter illustrated and/or described.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a finger protector illustrating an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is an end view of the structure shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an elevational view showing the method of using the invention and viewed in the direction toward the archer.

Fig. 5 is a view of the hand only of the archer viewed from the opposite direction and drawn to a greater scale.

Fig. 6 is a plan view taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 5 and showing the arrangement of the parts.

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. l of a modification of the invention.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, the bow string 10 of a bow has been shown and in drawn position, it being readily comprehended that the said string forms part of an ordinary bow not illustrated. In like manner, the shaft 11 of an arrow 12 has been shown and which is provided with the usual feathers 13. The shaft 11 is additionally formed with a neck 14 in which the bow string 10 is disposed while the bow string is being drawn. In Figs. 4, 5 and 6 the archers hand is shown at 15 and the forefinger, middle finger, third finger and little finger are designated by the reference numerals 16, 17, 18 and 19 respectively.

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The invention proper comprises a covering 21 which is adapted to overlie the surfaces of the fingers 16, 17 and 18 on the palm side of the hand. This covering consists of two layers of leather 22 and 23 which overlie one another and which are of the same size and shape. This covering is formed with a longitudinal slot 24 which is adapted to be disposed in register with the space 25 between the lfarefinger 16 and the middle finger 17 of the archers hand. This construction provides a flap 26 which overlies the forefinger 16 and another flap 27 which overlies the fingers 17 and 18. The covering 21, in the form of the invention shown in Fig. l, is reduced in width its end opposite the flaps 26 and 27 to form a neck 28. The two layers 22 and 23 of the covering are stitched together by means of stitches 29 and which extend throughout a portion only of the neck 1n the neck 28 is formed a circular opening 31 and through which the middle finger 17 may be projected. A tab 32 is formed on the neck 28 and which projects into the opening 31. The covering is applied by inserting the middle finger through the opening 31 and from the underside of the covering, as shown in Fig. 1. This brings the flaps 26 and 27 upon the inner side of the hand and the said flaps in overlying position in respect to the fingers 16, 17 and 18. The portion 41 of the neck 28 encircling the opening 31 and the tab 32 is in the nature of a band and forms a holding means for holding the protector applied to the hand of the archer.

In conjunction with the covering 21, a spacer 33 is employed. This spacer may be constructed of wood, plastic, or any other suitable material having sufiicient rigidity for the purpose. The spacer illustrated is platelike in form, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and has an edge 34 adapted to overlie the outer surface 40 of the layer 22 of the covering 21. Drive screws 30 extend through both of the layers 22 and 23 and are driven into the spacer 33. If desired, nails or ordinary screws may be used for the purpose, or the same secured to the covering by any other suitable fasteners. The spacer 33 also has an edge 35 which forms an angle with respect to the edge 34 and which serves a purpose to be presently described. The thickness of the spacer 33 is equal to or slightly greater than the diameter of the shaft 11 at the end of the same in which the mock 14 is formed. The covering 21 serves as an attaching means for attaching the spacer to the hand of the archer. I

The finger protector is used in the following manner: As previously stated, the middle finger of the archer is inserted through the hole 31 in the covering 21 bringing the flaps 26 and 27 opposite the fingers 16, 17 and 18 and the slot 24 opposite the space 25 between the fingers 16 and 17. At the same time the spacer 33 is inserted into this space and separates these two fingers. The arrow is now grasped by the shaft 11 and applied to the bow string 10 with the same extending into the nock 14. The bow string is then placed upon the surface 40 and across the flaps 26 and 27 with the shaft 11 held in the space 25 between the fingers and extending through the slot 24. The string is now drawn back in the customary manner. The position of the parts when the string has been properly drawn is shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6. It will be noted that the two reaches 36 and 37 of the bow string 10 form an angle and that the fingers of the archer are disposed at the bight of the angle. This causes the fingers to be forced together and against the spacer 33 instead of the arrow. When the string is subsequently released the arrow slides through the space 25 and along the edge 35 of the spacer 33 as shown in Fig. 6 and is projected. By means of the spacer 33 the fingers are kept apart and the friction between the arrow and the archers fingers ordinarily resulting in releasing the arrow is eliminated.

In Fig. 7 a modification has been shown. In this form of the invention the covering differs from that shown in Fig. 1. Due to the similarity of the protectors, description of the corresponding parts will not be repeated and such parts will be indicated by the same reference numerals preceded by the digit 1. In this form of the invention the flaps 126 and 127 and the slot 124 remain the same. The back end of the covering 121, however, is not reduced to form a neck as shown in Fig. 1 but is of a width sufficient to receive two finger holes 38 and 39. The finger hole 38 is for the reception of the forefinger 16 of the archer while the opening 39 is of sufiicient dimension to receive the middle finger and the third finger. The spacer 133 with this form of the invention may be identical with that disclosed in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. The method of using this form of theinvention is the same as that described in connection with the protector shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 excepting that all three of the fingers 16, 17 and 18 are inserted through the holes in the covering instead of the finger 17 only.

The advantages of the invention are manifest. The finger protector prevents soreness, abrasion, and other discomfort produced in shooting arrows in the customary manner. The finger protector is used in exactly the same manner as pads or gloves ordinarily employed for protecting the fingers of the archer. The spacer may be utilized with any type of finger covering now available for the protection of the archers fingers. The manner of shooting the arrow is identically the same as the conventional manner of shooting arrows and no change in technique is required in the use of the instant invention. The device can be constructed at a nominal expense.

Changes in the specific form of the invention, as herein described, may be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is:

1. An archers finger protector comprising a finger covering constructed of flexible material and adapted to overlie the portions of the fingers of the archer which grasp the bow string, said covering having a slot therein adapted to register with the space between the fingers through which the arrow slides and a spacer, plate-like in form having an edge overlying a portion of said covering and substantially in alignment with said slot, said spacer being constructed of a rigid material, fasteners extending through said covering and into said spacer for holding the spacer through said edge attached to the covering, and holding means on said covering and adapted to engage portions of the fingers of the user to hold the covering and spacer in operative position.

2. An archers finger protector comprising a finger covering constructed of flexible material and adapted to overlie the portions of the fingers of the archer which grasp the bow string, said covering having a slot therein adapted to register with the space between the fingers through which the arrow slides and a spacer, plate-like in form having an edge overlying a portion of said covering and substantially in alignment with said slot, said spacer being constructed of rigid material, fasteners extending through said covering and into said spacer through said edge for holding the spacer attached to the covering, said spacer having another edge forming an angle with said first named edge and along which the arrow travels, and holding means on said covering and adapted to engage portions of the fingers of the user to hold the covering and spacer in operative position.

3. In an archers finger protector for application to the hand engaging the draw string, the combination of a finger covering constructed of flexible material and having a portion adapted to overlie the inner surfaces of the forefinger and middle finger of the hand and terminating near the ends of said fingers, said portion having a slot therethrough adapted to extend along the space be.-

tween said fingers, said slot being open at its outer end and terminating at its'inner end in proximity to the outermost nodes of said fingers, a plate-like spacer issuing outwardly from said portion of the covering and lying in alignment with said slot and being disposed inwardly thereof, said spacer having an edge engaging said portion of the covering, fastening means between said covering and said spacer, said spacer being adapted to be inserted between said fingers of the hand and when positioned for use extending across the second nodes of said fingers and toward the digital fold of said fingers, said spacer having an outer edge forming an angle with said first named edge and being positioned in proximity to the first nodes of the fingers, and holding means on said covering adapted to encircle portions of the hand to hold the covering in position for use.

4. An archers finger protector comprising a covering constructed of flexible sheet-like material and having anedge, said. covering having a slot therein extending through said edge and inwardly therefrom, said covering being reduced in width at the portion thereof opposite said slot to form a neck, a finger hole in said neck and disposed to one side, of said slot, a plate-like spacer having an edge overlying said covering, said spacer extending outwardly from said covering, said spacer being disposed inwardly of and lying in continuation of said slot, said spacer having an outer edge forming an angle with said first named edge and meeting said first named edge in proximity to the end of said slot and fastening means acting between said spacer and said covering.

5. An archers finger protector comprising a covering constructed of flexible sheet like material and having anedge, said covering having a slot therein extending through said edge inwardly therefrom, means for attaching said covering to the hand of the user with the covering on the palm side of the hand and with the slot registering with the space between the index finger and the middle finger of the hand, a plate like spacer having a portion with an edge overlying the covering inwardly of the end of said slot and disposed in alignment with said slot, said spacer having another portion with an edge free from said covering and forming a continuation of said first named edge, said second named portion extending over said slot at the inner end thereof, and being in alignment with said slot, and fastening means acting between said spacer and cover and extending through said first named edge of said spacer.

6. An archers finger protector comprising a covering constructed of flexible sheet like material and having an edge, said covering having a slot therein extending through said edge inwardly therefrom, means for attaching said covering to the hand of the user with the covering on the palm side of the hand and with the slot registering with the space between the index finger and the middle finger of the hand and with the ends of said covering overlying the first section of the index and middle fingers, said slot terminating substantially at the first joints of said fingers, a plate like spacer extending outwardly from said covering and disposed between said index and middle fingers, and attaching means attached to said covering and to said spacer at a locality inwardly from the end of said slot.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,149,834 James Aug. 10,, 1915 2,040,137 Jensen May 12, 1936 2,322,710 Eisendrath June 22,1943 2,530,688 Ducot Nov, 2.1, 1950 2,769,179 Love Nov. 6, 1956 OTHER REFERENCES Ben Pearson, Inc, Catalog No. 25, page 13, No. 803., (A copy is filed in Div. 62, U. S. Patent Oflice.) 

